Lamb Leer facts for kids

Lamb Leer is a special place in the Mendip Hills of Somerset, England. It covers about 14.59 hectares (36 acres). This area is known as a Site of Special Scientific Interest because of its amazing geology. It was officially recognized in 1983.

At the heart of Lamb Leer is a huge underground space called Lamb Leer Cavern. This cavern is part of a very old and large cave system. It contains one of the biggest cave rooms in the Mendip Hills.

What's in a Name?

The name "Lamb Leer" has a few possible origins. One idea is that it comes from an old name for the area, which was "Lambden."

Another thought is that in the 1670s, miners used to talk about "leirey places." This meant places that were cavernous, or full of caves. The word "leer" is similar to a German word that means "void" or "empty." German miners might have brought this word with them.

However, the most likely explanation comes from an Anglo-Saxon word. The word "lear" also meant "empty" or "void." This fits well with the idea of a large, empty space underground.

A History of Discovery

Lamb Leer Cavern was first found by miners. They were looking for lead around the year 1676. In 1681, a geologist named John Beaumont explored the cave. He was a pioneer in exploring deep underground pits. He even shared his findings about the cave with the Royal Society.

The cave was found again in 1880. A new shaft, or entrance, was dug into it. For a while, it became a popular place for tourists to visit. But by the 1920s, this new shaft became blocked.

In 1936, the original entrance to the cave was opened once more. In the late 1930s, there was even a special cable car system. This cable car helped people cross the huge main chamber of the cave. More parts of the cave were discovered in the 1960s and 1970s.

Why Access is Not Allowed

Today, you are not allowed to enter Lamb Leer Cavern. The owner of the land does not permit access. This is often for safety reasons, as caves can be dangerous places without proper training and equipment.

Exploring the Cavern

The cave system at Lamb Leer is very dry. It sits high above the current water-table, which is the level where the ground is soaked with water. Scientists believe that the passages in this cave might have formed even before the Ice Age began. This was during a time called the Pleistocene Period.

The sediments, or layers of mud and rock, found inside the caves are very important. They help geologists learn about Earth's past. By studying these sediments, they can understand how the environment changed over a very long time.

The main entrance shaft is called Beaumont Shaft. The first big room you would find is called The Beehive. It has a large stalagmite that looks like a boss or a mound. After that, you reach the Great Chamber. This room is about 30 metres (100 feet) high and 20 metres (66 feet) wide. It also has some interesting rock formations.

From the roof of the Great Chamber, a passage leads to the St Valentine Series. These are a group of passages, and many of them are beautifully decorated with cave formations.